SCHUYLKILL HAVEN — When addressing the graduates at Penn State Schuylkill on Saturday, the keynote speaker advised them to consider their futures and their legacies.

“Think about what your legacy will be personally and professionally,” said Marcus A Whitehurst, Penn State’s vice provost for educational equity, who is based at University Park.

He spoke before this year’s graduates at the campus in Schuylkill Haven and the more than 400 people who crammed into the campus auditorium for a commencement ceremony.

“Through your talents, your caring and your actions, you have been wonderful ambassadors for Penn State. You are leaving Penn State a better place and I’m sincerely hopeful you will have the same impact in whatever community or company that is lucky enough to land you. Take advantage of the opportunities that come before you but, also, think about what you can leave behind,” Whitehurst said. “And I hope that as you go forth from here you will find that giving your time, talents and treasures to others in need will enrich your own life in great measure.”

He continued, “Now it’s up to you to determine your future. And as you leave here today, I’m going to share with you a poem that has motivated me as an undergraduate and still motivates me today as a professional.”

Then he read “See It Through” by Edgar A. Guest.

The Office of the Vice Provost for Educational Equity serves as a catalyst and advocate for Penn State’s diversity and inclusion initiatives, according to Penn State’s website.

Whitehurst was named to the post in August, succeeding W. Terrell Jones, who died Aug. 19, 2014, after an extended illness. Before becoming vice provost, Whitehurst had served as assistant vice provost for educational equity since July 2007. Prior to that, he served in several capacities at Penn State, including director of the Multicultural Resource Center for nearly a decade, according to the site.

In his job, he oversees 13 units with 75 staff members, in addition to working with a number of offices both within and outside the university, with a goal of ensuring equal opportunity for a diverse body of students, faculty and staff at all Penn State locations, according to the site.

On Saturday, 60 students participated in the commencement ceremony, according to Jodi Staller, coordinator of public relations and marketing in the Office of University Relations.

“There are 116 total graduates for this academic year. That includes students that graduated in the fall of 2015, are graduating spring 2016 and intend to graduate in summer 2016. We no longer hold a commencement ceremony in the fall, so all students from the three semesters are invited to participate in the spring ceremony,” Staller said.

The student speaker was Edward Brennan, Schuylkill Haven, who completed his bachelor’s degree in three years and is graduating with highest distinction, Staller said. He also earned a minor in civic and community engagement.

“I must be honest when I say that I am surprised to be standing here today three years after I started. I still remember my first day in 2013 when I was a nervous college freshman as many of you were at one time. The college atmosphere was completely new to me. I was only the second generation in my family to be studying in college classrooms. There were days that were hard, but with help from friends and family I was able to overcome the challenges and fight my way toward the finish line,” Brennan said.

“We are graduating today, but where do we go from here? After graduation, there is the road of life. Life is not 100 percent paved or flat. The road, sometimes, has very few places where one can rest. Some portions of the road are rocky and unstable. But in order to fulfill your dreams we must keep on trucking no matter what,” Brennan said.

This year, for the first time, Penn State University recognized graduates for their academic achievements and military service with honor cords, Staller said.

“The cords will be provided to eligible students to wear over their graduation gowns. The groups that will be wearing cords are distinction candidates, Penn State Schuylkill Honors program members and military honors,” Staller said.

Also at Saturday’s commencement, the campus had its first graduating students in two new degree programs:

“Winn and Cassie have same last name, but are no relation to each other,” Staller said.

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